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We're building our very own

In 1941, the New York Central Railroad unveiled one of the finest steam-powered streamlined passenger trains in the United States as part of their newly created "Great Steel Fleet."

Now, part of this historic train set is destined to make history again. Once restored, it will become part of a steam-powered passenger train attraction – and inspire a new generation along the way. Join the Fort Wayne Railroad as we embark on a once-in-a-lifetime capital campaign to create our very own GREAT STEEL FLEET.

Make a Donation

Each passenger car must undergo a minimum of $160,000 in upgrades to return it to the rails. A tax-deductible gift can buy a part, sponsor a section, or earn car naming rights.

Make a Donation

Tour the Fleet

Our fleet includes preserved examples from North America’s premiere passenger train era. When restored, the train set will offer unique cultural experiences and operate in the Midwest behind our 1940s steam locomotive and historic diesel locomotives.

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Learn More

Built in 1941 for the “finest daytime train in the world,” the Empire State Express cars were designed for “streamlined luxury and everyday travel.” Seven of these cars make up our collection today. Learn the fascinating history behind this “dreamliner” train.

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453,000

raised to acquire and restore the fleet since 2022

35

of the fleet is restored

3,538

volunteer hours committed to the fleet
OUR VISION

Over a century ago, railroading was a way of life in the Midwest and throughout the country. The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, honors this industrious history through its sensory experiences, passenger train excursions, and the operation of one of the last surviving steam locomotives in North America.

For over 50 years, our organization has worked to create immersive, educational experiences for millions of people. Our sold-out excursion trains and community events welcome passengers from all 50 states and around the world, boosting the economic activity of the regions it serves and creating lifelong memories in the process. In 2022, our expanded operations in Northeast Indiana were named “Indiana’s Best New Experience” by the state tourism bureau.

In the last two years, we’ve invested over $350,000 to grow this successful enterprise. Learn how we plan to build out our fleet, expand our programs and experiences, and increase tourism, recreation, and and economic activity wherever our Great Steel Fleet may roam.

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OUR PROGRESS

Our trains are time machines – and we’ve been adding to our roster. In 2022, the Fort Wayne Railroad’s volunteers restored two historic rail cars from its existing collection and purchased two more cars for immediate excursion service, creating the foundation of our Great Steel Fleet. In 2023, our crews also completed the construction of a head-end power car capable of providing electricity to any size excursion train.

Since late 2022, we’ve come to own two remarkable examples of passenger rail travel: a dome observation lounge car named the Riding Mountain Park, and seven cars from the 1941 Empire State Express.

These are the stainless steel seeds for a remarkable roving attraction. Let’s tour the fleet.

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Building the Great Steel Fleet

Our fleet spans five historic railroads and features a mix of iconic amenities from the golden era of passenger rail, from regular coaches and dining cars, to a premiere dome observation car. Here’s an introduction to the fleet – and a summary of the progress we’ve made so far.

DAVID DONOHO | Power Car

100%

Built in 1955 for the Santa Fe Railroad and acquired from Amtrak in 2019, this former baggage car was converted into a head-end-power car in in 2023. With two 300kw diesel-electric generators, the car can power a passenger train of any size. Its restoration was made possible by a grant from the David A. Donhoo Trust and Central Indiana Foundation.

JOHN H. EMERY | Open Air Car

100%

Built in 1955 by the American Car & Foundry, this stainless steel baggage car operated as part of the finest passenger trains of the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway, including The Chief, Super Chief, El Capitan, Grand Canyon, and many others. It was acquired in 2019 from Amtrak and converted into an open-air car at a cost of $35,000. Work on this car was helped in part by a grant from the John H. Emery Rail Heritage Trust.

SILVER DINER | Dining Car

100%

Built in 1948, the Silver Diner was originally part of the famous California Zephyr fleet which operated between Chicago, Denver, Salt Lake City, and San Francisco. The dining car operated for nearly 70 years until it was retired in the 2000s and acquired from Amtrak in 2019 to help preserve the railroad dining car experience. It was renovated and returned to service by our volunteers in 2022 at a cost of $50,000.

COLLINSVILLE INN | ADA Coach

100%

Constructed in 1949 by the Budd Company in Philadelphia, the Collinsville Inn was originally built as a sleeping car for the Pennsylvania Railroad’s famous passenger trains. The car was overhauled by the National Railway Historical Society (DCNRHS) in 2008 and like its sister car, the Franklin Inn, is ADA-compatible. It was acquired by the Fort Wayne Railroad for excursion service in 2022.

FRANKLIN INN | ADA Coach

100%

The Franklin Inn was converted from a sleeper into a traditional coach in 1963 for the World’s Fair in New York City and wound its way through commuter train service until they were eventually obtained and renovated by the National Railway Historical Society (DCNRHS) in 2008. The Inns operated in occasional excursion service and were in limited seasonal use when they were purchased in mid-2022 when they were used to portray a 1970s-era commuter train in the Tom Hanks film A Man Called Otto.

RIDING MOUNTAIN PARK| Dome Observation Lounge

16%%

Built in 1954 for the Canadian Pacific, Riding Mountain Park offers a panoramic glass dome section, observation lounge, custom mural, intimate cocktail lounge, and drawing room suite and bedrooms. Once described as the “feature car” of the passenger train, Riding Mountain Park is destined to become an ideal setting for first-class accommodations, fall color excursions, private events, and business retreats. Retired and stored since the 1990s, the car was acquired with the assistance of a private donor in 2022. $100,000 has been raised so far for its $600,000 restoration budget.

NYC 2568 | Empire Coach

50%

Built 1941 as 56-seat coach and rebuilt in 1966 to accommodate 100 passengers with walk-over seats. NYC 2568 is the first coach to undergo renovation and is receiving an upgraded electrical system, new heating and air conditioning, and an updated restroom. In 2023, a matching campaign helped raise over $188,000 to kick-start work on this coach and included over $70,000 in private donations in addition to grants from the John H. Emery Rail Heritage Trust, Steuben County Tourism Bureau, Central Indiana Foundation, and others. Work on this car is estimated to cost approximately $330,000.

NYC 2571 | Empire Lounge

2%

Named “Hamilton Fish,” the 2571 is a former coach with a largely unrestored interior. Due to its relatively blank slate, the car is an ideal candidate for restoration into a parlor car like what originally operated on the Empire State Express. Its restoration is estimated to cost $350,000.

NYC 2578 | Empire Dining

2%

Named ”Charles Whitman,” the 2578 was used as a workshop under previous ownership and has an unrestored interior, making it ideal for restoration into a dining car comparable to what operated on the original Empire State Express. Its restoration is estimated to cost $350,000.

NYC 5021 | Railway Post Office Car

5%

Named the Alonzo B. Cornell, the 5021 served as a mobile railway post office where mail clerks sorted packages at 80 miles an hour, expediting postal delivery in decades before before Amazon Prime. In preservation, it was used occasionally as a power and crew car in the 1990s and early 2000s. The car is uniquely suited for future open-air and concession car service. Work on this car is estimated to cost approximately $160,000.

NYC 2566 | Empire Coach

5%

Built 1941 as 56-seat coach and rebuilt in 1966 to accommodate 100 passengers with walk over seats. NYC 2566 will be renovated with an upgraded electrical system, new heating and air conditioning, and an updated restroom. Work on this car is estimated to cost approximately $330,000.

NYC 2572 | Empire Coach

2%

Named the David B. Hill, built 1941 as 56-seat coach later rebuilt as 108-seat commuter coach in December 1966. NYC 2572 will be renovated with an upgraded electrical system, new heating and air conditioning, and an updated restroom. Work on this car is estimated to cost approximately $330,000.

NYC 2567 | Empire Coach

5%

Built 1941 as 56-seat coach and rebuilt in 1966 to accommodate 100 passengers with walk over seats. The 2567 will be renovated with an upgraded electrical system, new heating and air conditioning, and an updated restroom. Work on this car is estimated to cost approximately $330,000.

The Great Steel Fleet
 

The Great Steel Fleet
 

The Great Steel Fleet
 

The Great Steel Fleet
 

The Great Steel Fleet